ATLANTA, GEORGIA – A highly anticipated clash is set to unfold today, June 29, 2025, as Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami CF takes on French powerhouse Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the Round of 16 of the FIFA Club World Cup.
The marquee fixture is scheduled for a noon local time kick-off (16:00 GMT) at the state-of-the-art Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Beyond the global club football stage, the match carries significant narrative weight, pitting Argentine superstar Lionel Messi against his former club and his former treble-winning coach, Luis Enrique.
The Road to Atlanta
Inter Miami arrives in the knockout stage as the sole representative from MLS, having navigated a challenging group phase. The Florida-based club secured their passage by achieving a notable 2-1 upset victory over Portuguese giants FC Porto. This was followed by a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Brazilian formidable side Palmeiras, accumulating the points necessary to advance.
Paris Saint-Germain, meanwhile, charted a slightly different course through their preliminary fixtures. The reigning UEFA Champions League winners demonstrated their attacking prowess with a dominant 4-0 win over Spanish club Atletico, followed by a solid 2-0 victory against MLS representatives Seattle Sounders. Their journey wasn’t without a minor stumble, however, as they suffered a 1-0 loss to Brazilian side Botafogo.
Team News and Preparations
For Inter Miami coach Tata Martino, preparations have been complicated by ongoing injury concerns. Key defender Jordi Alba has reportedly returned from injury and may be available for selection, offering a potential boost to the backline. However, the team continues to be without several crucial players, including first-choice goalkeeper Drake Callender, defender Gonzalo Lujan, and midfielder Yannick Bright, all of whom remain sidelined.
Veteran goalkeeper Oscar Ustari is confirmed to step between the posts in place of the injured Callender, a significant change in a high-stakes match against a prolific PSG attack. The availability and fitness of other key Inter Miami players, particularly Messi, remain central to their hopes of overcoming the favoured Parisian side.
On the PSG bench, coach Luis Enrique approaches the tie with a mix of anticipation and familiarity. The Spaniard has publicly expressed his eagerness to face his former protégé, Lionel Messi. The pair enjoyed a hugely successful three-year spell together at FC Barcelona, culminating in a historic treble in 2015, and their reunion on opposite sides adds a compelling personal layer to the technical and tactical battle.
A Clash of Styles and Narratives
PSG enters the contest widely considered the favourite, underlined by their recent triumph in the UEFA Champions League and the depth of talent across their squad. Their attacking unit, featuring global stars alongside Messi’s former attacking partners, presents a formidable challenge for any defence.
Inter Miami, conversely, embraces the underdog status. Their success in the group stage, particularly the win against Porto, demonstrated a capacity for resilience and tactical discipline, combined with moments of individual brilliance, often from Messi himself. As the last MLS club standing, they carry the hopes of North American football fans against Europe’s elite.
The Mercedes-Benz Stadium, renowned for its capacity and atmosphere, provides a grand stage for this international club spectacle. The match not only offers a chance for both clubs to advance deeper into the prestigious FIFA Club World Cup but also serves as a high-profile test of MLS’s growing competitiveness against the established powers of European football.
The focus inevitably falls on Lionel Messi. His history with PSG, where he spent two seasons before joining Inter Miami, and his legendary partnership with Luis Enrique at Barcelona, adds a layer of intrigue that transcends the immediate competition. Can Messi inspire his current team to defy the odds against the club he recently departed and the coach who knows his game perhaps better than anyone?
The Stakes
The winner of this Round of 16 encounter will advance to the quarter-finals, moving one step closer to potentially lifting the FIFA Club World Cup trophy. For PSG, it’s an opportunity to reaffirm their status as Europe’s best and conquer the global club stage. For Inter Miami, it represents a chance to make history for MLS and continue an improbable run.
The match promises to be a captivating event, filled with tactical battles, individual duels, and the inherent drama of knockout football. All eyes will be on Atlanta today at noon local time as Inter Miami and PSG write the next chapter in the FIFA Club World Cup, marked by reunions, rivalries, and the pursuit of global glory.
